Why your Cummins engine needs a damper:
Each time the air/fuel mixture inside a cylinder is ignited, the combustion that occurs creates a torque spike that is applied to the crankshaft through the piston and rod. This torque spike is so severe that it not only turns the crankshaft, it twists the crankshaft ahead of its regular rotation, and then the crankshaft rebounds.
This twisting action is known as torsional vibration. When these torque spikes and forces get into phase with the natural frequency, critical torsional harmonic vibrations occur and can be severely destructive to the bearings and the crankshaft. Fluidampr Cummins Dampers are designed to control these destructive torsional vibrations.
A new Cummins Fluidampr on your diesel truck will not only protect your engine from destructive torsional vibrations but will also increase TORQUE & HORSEPOWER. High performance diesel engines running chips and programmers are exceptionally vulnerable to torsional vibrations. Save your crank & more by installing a new Fluidampr today.
Fluidampr Diesel Dampers are ideal for anyone looking for a replacement damper to the individual looking for a superior harmonic balancer for a diesel engine with increased power. From stock power to a full-blown competition motor Fluidampr harmonic crankshaft balancers have you covered. A conventional stock damper is considered a wear item and diesel engine performance upgrade drastically increases the bad torsional vibrations produced with every single power stroke of an internal combustion engine.
The Cummins 3.9L, 5.9L and 6.7L Harmonic Damper in your Dodge Turbo Diesel is a wear item deserves your attention and should be inspected at 30K Inspection intervals. OEM dampers are not designed to control the torsional vibrations generated from increased power levels.
Fluidampr manufacturers American Made High Performance Harmonic Dampers for these Cummins engines:
Rubber Versus The Silicone Fluid Used In A Viscous Crankshaft Damper
Critical harmonic vibrations occur numerous times in the engines operating range. The OEM Damper uses a stock rubber compound and the elastomer-type dampers are frequency sensitive tuned absorbers and work at only one critical frequency. In the case of a stock rubber damper, it is tuned for a factory engine’s fundamental harmonic vibrations.
If you change the mass of pistons, rods, or the crankshaft, you change the natural frequency of the crankshaft assembly; therefore, the stock damper is no longer tuned to the new frequency of vibration, and you may be headed for early failure of expensive engine components. Dampers also create heat while they work, and rubber is a poor dissipator of heat. This heat and the exposure to the elements deteriorate the rubber, causing it to crack and change the durometer, which then leads to inertia ring slippage, damper failure, uncontrolled torsional vibration, and costly engine parts breakage.
Crankshaft Deflection
Each time the air/fuel mixture inside a cylinder is ignited, the combustion that results creates a torque spike - an extremely rapid rise in-cylinder pressure. This pressure, applied to the top of the piston, becomes the force that is applied to the crankshaft through the connecting rod. Each torque spike is like a hammer blow. In fact, it hits with sufficient intensity that it not only causes the crankshaft to turn, but it also deflects or twists it.
This twisting action and the resulting rebound (as the crank arm snaps back in the opposite direction) is known as torsional harmonic vibration. If not adequately controlled, torsional vibration causes rapid main bearing and main journal wear and possible crankshaft breakage.
Fortunately, harmonic vibration can be controlled by a vibration damper - which is also called a harmonic damper or erroneously a "harmonic balancer." The primary purpose of a "harmonic damper" is to control harmonic vibration, not necessarily to balance the engine's rotating assembly.
Although harmonics occur over a broad range of engine speeds, rubber, and elastomer-type dampers are frequency sensitive - they are tuned only to control harmonic vibrations that occur within a narrow band of rpm. However, there is more than one area within the operating range of a performance engine that critical harmonic vibrations occur. Therefore, elastomer dampers may not be sufficient.
The resulting lack of vibration control could prove to be very destructive. Rubber is also a poor dissipator of heat, and dampers by their nature create heat as they work to reduce vibration. As the rubber in your OEM damper gets hotter, it does not work as well as when it is cold. Second, rubber breaks down when exposed to the elements. Over time, the rubber strip can crack and begin to deteriorate due to age and exposure. This damper degradation can lead to inertia ring slippage, damper failure, and uncontrolled torsional vibration, which leads to costly parts breakage.
All of the Fluidamper Viscous Harmonic Balancers are MADE IN THE USA!
Please feel free to Contact Us if you require any further information about the Viscous Crankshaft Damper you need for your engine?
